Balan Moses, news editor of the New Straits Times, lamented that because journalists practise self-censorship, it was difficult for press freedom to stamp its mark in the country.
Balan was among nine panelists who spoke at the forum entitled 'Journalists, Press Freedom and the Law' jointly organised by the National Union of Journalists and Bar Council. The event was held in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day on May 3. About 50 people, comprising mainly lawyers and journalists, were present.
Journalists, Balan said, should not stop asking question on sensitive issues even if they know that such stories would not be printed.
"Those concerned, including ministers would have no where to run if we ask the right question," he added.
The editor said that government servants also suffer from the 'sealed lips' syndrome and many of them do not acknowledge the societal role of journalists.
"It is a fact that many civil servants do not want to say anything negative for fear of appearing anti-government. Also, a lot of issues have been diluted because of the lack of technical knowledge of ministers," Balan added.
He also took a swipe at government-owned media stating that a greater degree of transparency was in order as a new generation of readers would not be easily taken in.
Political interference
"In reality we have to face political interference everyday but things are not the same anymore. The people are more sophisticated and newspapers cannot orchestrate things anymore.
"We now have web-sites which give rise to alternative news and media owners must be aware of these new realities," Balan said.
Meanwhile, Bar Council president Mah Weng Kwai assured the press of his support in any undertaking towards press freedom, irrespective of deficiencies in the law or what the law presently has to offer."
"Suffice for me to say then, both the press and the law must remain vigilant of further undesirable encroaches of executive power.
"The dissemination of the government interest as the only newsworthy view and the downplaying of other opposing viewpoints stems from the implicit recognition by the executive that the print media, grown to full height, will play a powerful role as the fourth segment in the separation of powers structure," Mah said.